This study aims at finding out how ecosystems affect the development of startups. This is a current topic because startups are a prominent phenomenon, the development and growth of which studies have not been able to fully describe or explain so far. Furthermore, it has been noted that more research should be aimed at providing insights and guidelines for startup managers on how to grow their company, especially in the international markets.

We are looking at the business ecosystem because it is a good way of describing the complex business environment of the startups today. By looking at the ecosystem that the startup is a part of, we can find out how the characteristics and interactions, as well as other actors and their actions can affect the development of a startup. Therefore, we need close observations on the ecosystem.

The study approaches the startup development from a case study point of view and utilizes qualitative interview data as its primary source for analysis. The interviews are recorded and transcribed and the transcription coded. Within case analysis is utilized to get a more comprehensive and reliable understanding of the phenomenon.

This study supports the view that ecosystems are important for startups and can offer them opportunities for development. It is noted that startups should take the ecosystem realities into consideration when strategizing and planning the activities and actions of the company. The specific ecosystem structures and ways of interaction and participation are important indicators on how a startup should participate in the ecosystem, what kind of information is available, what areas are to pursue and with what kind of strategies. It is also noted that different ecosystem actors, also other than for-profit companies, can be important for company development in the ecosystem. All, in all, the study offers support to the notion that business ecosystems are important these days, and that startups can benefit from knowing, participating in, and adjusting to these ecosystems.

The results of this study can be used by startup managers to gain insights for planning and strategizing. The results can be used as guidance on what the managers should take into consideration when entering new international markets, but also point out the ways in which the ecosystem can affect the company development. The results can be generalized to some extent, even though this is a case study into a certain ecosystem and a certain startup as a part of that ecosystem.